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Dell Webcam and Dell Webcam Central Software Guide

Dell Webcam and Dell Webcam Central Software Guide

For information about, help using and fixing issues with your webcam (webcamera, web cam), as well as how to enable/disable your webcam, refer to the section that matches the Operating System installed on your computer.

Please bookmark this article as restarts of the computer are recommended during the process to help resolve issues.

When the Webcam does still does not function, the webcam software should also be uninstalled and reinstalled after the drivers are installed. Please contact the Webcam software provider for assistance.

When the Microsoft Audio Recording Troubleshooter did not fix the issue, run the Dell PC Diagnostics for Microphone issues. For more information, refer to the Dell Knowledge base article How to use the Dell PC Diagnostics.

Once on the product support page for your device;

Make sure the volume on the computer is at full.

Touch or click Microphone under Test a specific device or create a custom test.

Touch or click Test Selected Devices and follow the prompts.

Note: The Dell Webcam Central software is not available for Windows 10 or Windows 8(8.1), you will need to use Skype instead. Refer to the information below on to how to get, use and start Skype.

How to get Skype and how to use the program

The Skype software can be downloaded from the Skype website. This website also offers instructional videos on how to use the Skype program.

Note: Skype may have already been installed at the factory in Windows 10.

How to start the Skype software in Windows 10

Touch or click Start, touch or click Skype on the Start screen.

Touch or click Start, touch or click All Apps, scroll down until Skype appears. Touch or click Skype.

Press and hold the Windows () key, and then press the q key. In the Search box, type Skype, touch or click Skype (Modern application).

There are four options to deny the software on your computer access to the Webcam.

Option 1:

On some newer versions of Windows (1803 and newer) there is an option that denies access to Windows and apps from accessing the camera. Touch or click Change under Allow access to the camera on this device. Then touch or click the slider to toggle between Off and On.

Note: When this is not an option, use one of the other options below.

Option 2:

Touch or click the slider under Allow apps to access your camera to toggle access Off and On.

Note: Denying access only blocks apps from accessing your camera. It does not block Windows.

Option 3:

Touch or click the slider next to the software you do not want to have access to the Webcam under Choose which apps can access your camera, you can toggle access Off and On.

Note: This does not prevent it from requesting to open the built-in Windows Camera app.

Option 4:

Warning: These steps outlined below should not be performed by a computer novice, as changing settings other than outlined below in the Device Manager, could prevent your computer from working correctly.

Press and hold the Windows () key, and then press the q key.

In the search box type device manager.

Select Device Manager (Control panel) in the list of results.

Touch or click the arrow to the left of Imaging devices (it may also be listed as Cameras).

Touch and hold or right-click the listing of Integrated Webcam, and then select Disable device. Confirm disabling the Webcam by touching or clicking Yes.

Note: To enable the Webcam, perform the same steps but select Enable device instead.

When the Microsoft Audio Recording Troubleshooter did not fix the issue, run the Dell PC Diagnostics for Microphone issues. For more information, refer to the Dell Knowledge base article How to use the Dell PC Diagnostics.

Once on the product support page for your device;

Make sure the volume on the computer is at full.

Touch or click Microphone under Test a specific device or create a custom test.

Touch or click Test Selected Devices and follow the prompts.

Note: The Dell Webcam Central software is not available for Windows 10 or Windows 8(8.1). When you have upgraded to Windows 10, you will need to use Skype instead. Refer to the information below on to how to get, use and start Skype.

How to get Skype and how to use the program

The Skype software can be downloaded from the Skype website. This website also offers instructional videos on how to use the Skype program.

How to start the Skype software in Windows 8(8.1)

On the Start Screen click Skype to start the program.

Warning: These steps outlined below should not be performed by a computer novice, as changing settings other than outlined below in the Device Manager, could prevent your computer from working correctly.

Press and hold the Windows () key, and then press the q key.

In the search box type device manager.

Select Device Manager in the list of results.

Touch or click the arrow to the left of Imaging devices.

Touch and hold or right-click the listing of Integrated Webcam, and then select Disable. Confirm disabling the Webcam by touching or clicking Yes.

Note: To enable the Webcam, perform the same steps but select Enable instead.

The Dell Webcam Central software is not available for Windows 10 or Windows 8(8.1) When you have upgraded to Windows 10, please use Skype instead. See the FAQ below on to how to get Skype.

How do I get the webcam to work?
The Dell Webcam Central software must be installed in Windows XP and Windows Vista to start and use the webcam, as it provides the drivers for the camera. For more information refer to How to Start the Dell Webcam Central Software.

Where is the microphone for the webcam?
The microphone is a small hole located next to the webcam lens (it may be on the right or the left side).

I am having trouble with my webcam microphone.
Refer to the The Webcam Microphone is Not Working section for step by step instructions.

I am having trouble with my webcam.
Refer to the Troubleshooting Webcam Issues section for step by step instructions.

Where do I get Skype and how do I use it??
You can get the Skype software from the Skype website. It also offers instructional videos on how to use the Skype program. Skype is a native application in Windows 8 (8.1).

Does the Dell Webcam central software support an external USB webcam?
The Dell Webcam central software does not support an external USB webcam.

Messages and errors such as No supported webcam connected, Please plug in a supported device and Close the other video streaming application to start video can be resolved by uninstalling, reinstalling or updating the webcam driver.
The process for uninstalling and reinstalling the webcam driver depends on which operating system is installed on the computer.

Locate the operating System that is on the computer from the options below.

Windows XP

Close any applications that are currently using the webcam (this may include web pages). Save and close any applications that you are currently working on as the computer will need to restart.

Click Imaging devices.
(When there is not a listing for Imaging Devices, contact Technical Support)

Right-click the Integrated webcam or USB camera.

Click Uninstall.

Confirm the uninstall process by clicking OK.

Once uninstalled restart the computer.

Note: The drivers for most webcams are provided by Microsoft in Windows 7, and will be automatically reinstalled when the computer is restarted, however there are specific drivers available for XPS notebooks (XPS L501X, XPS L502X, XPS L701X, XPS L702X) on the Drivers and Downloads page. For more information, refer to Dell Knowledge Base article FAQs- Drivers and Downloads. The webcam driver can be found under the Input section and is listed as Quanta- Driver on the Drivers and Downloads page.

When the white object is visible but the screen is dark, perform the following steps:

Click Settings in the upper right corner.

Move the slider bars under Backlight, Brightness and Gamma to the right to make anything in front of the webcam more visible. When changing these settings do not resolve the issue, contact Technical Support.

When the Microsoft Knowledge Base article did not fix the issue, a diagnostic test is available for the microphone. To perform a diagnostics on the microphone on your computer, refer to the Dell Knowledge base article How to use the Dell PC Diagnostics. Once on the Advanced tab, select Hardware and choose Microphone, then touch or click Run Diagnostics.

Make sure the volume on the computer is at full and follow the prompts to test the microphone on your computer.

The process for uninstalling and reinstalling the webcam software depends on which Operating System your computer has installed. Refer to the steps for the Operating System that is installed on your computer.

Warning: Dell Webcam Central software is no longer available from My Dell Downloads, unless you have a copy downloaded and saved already it is not recommended that you uninstall Dell Webcam Central software. Please contact Technical Support for help obtaining a copy. For more information, refer to Dell Knowledge Base article My Dell Downloads & My Locker -- Frequently Asked Questions.

To uninstall the Dell webcam central software, perform the following steps:

Click Start.

Click Control Panel.

Using the drop-down menu next to View by: in the upper-right corner, select Large Icons.

Click Programs and Features.

Click Dell Webcam Central.

Click Uninstall.

Confirm the uninstall process by clicking OK.

Once uninstalled restart the computer.

To download the latest version of Webcam Central for your Dell computer, perform the following steps:

Windows XP

To uninstall the Dell webcam central software, perform the following steps:

Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.

Click Classic View in the upper left-hand corner.

Double-click Add/Remove Programs.

Click to highlight the Dell Webcam Central.

Click Change/Remove.

Click Remove.

Click OK and follow the instructions within the uninstall wizard.

Click the red X in the upper right-hand corner of the Add/Remove Programs window.

Restart the computer.

To reinstall the Dell Webcam Central use the CD that came with your Dell computer.

When you do not have your Dell Webcam Software CD, it may be downloaded from this link Dell Webcam Central, this version of the software is supported on the computers listed in (Table 1) using the Operating Systems listed in (Table 2), but may work on other computers.

Note: The Dell Webcam Central software is not available for Windows 10 or Windows 8(8.1). When you have upgraded to Windows 10, you will need to use Skype instead. Refer to the information below on to how to get, use and start Skype.

How to get Skype and how to use the program

The Skype software can be downloaded from the Skype website. This website also offers instructional videos on how to use the Skype program.

Warning: These steps outlined below should not be performed by a computer novice, as changing settings other than outlined below in the Device Manager, could prevent your computer from working correctly.

Touch or click Start.

In the search box type device manager.

Select Device Manager in the list of results.

Touch or click the arrow to the left of Imaging devices (it may also be listed as Cameras).

Touch and hold or right-click the listing of Integrated Webcam, and then select Disable device. Confirm disabling the Webcam by touching or clicking Yes.

Note: To enable the Webcam, perform the same steps but select Enable device instead.